Selecting a 90-day reporting period in the NACOR dashboard
Reconciling provider lists and ensuring all NPIs are assigned the proper provider type
December 2017 data submissions
Note: the deadline to attest to Improvement Activities is now February 28

2/28/2018

Individual quality reporting consent submission

3/16/2018

If a practice does not pay its final invoice in full by this date, the practice’s data may not be submitted to CMS.

Note: The deadline to attest to Improvement Activities has been extended until February 28.>

AQI group and individual reporting checklists available

With data submission deadlines for the 2017 MIPS reporting year approaching, AQI has prepared checklists for both Group Reporting and Individual Reporting to help ensure your practice has completed all participation requirements by AQI’s deadlines.

Quality reporting consent submissions due February 28

Eligible clinicians (ECs) who are enrolled in 2017 individual quality reporting must return paper or electronic consent forms by Wednesday, February 28, as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS prohibits submission of data on behalf of an EC unless an individual consent form is completed. AQI’s NACOR will not be able to submit your 2017 MIPS quality reporting data to CMS if you do not complete the consent form by the aforementioned date. For questions about consents, email Margaret Bussan.

AQI Committee on Data Definitions seeking nominations

The Committee on Data Definitions (CDD) is seeking nominations for individuals who would like to serve on the Committee. The CDD develops conceptual definitions for data elements in AQI’s NACOR to ensure the data are reliable and valid. Since its formation in 2015, the Committee has developed and implemented four data element sets that are being used for data submitted to NACOR by participating anesthesia practices. The CDD holds monthly conference calls and one annual in-person meeting. Individuals interested in volunteering for a three-year term on the CDD must complete and submit a self-nomination form by Wednesday, February 28.

New NACOR comorbidity data elements now available

AQI recently released the new Comorbidity Data Set, which includes elements in validated risk-adjustment models used by other major specialties, as well as those associated with adverse anesthesia-specific outcomes. While these data elements are not mandatory, NACOR practices are encouraged to submit them, as they are essential in determining and reducing risk of patient harm and in calculating risk-adjusted clinical outcomes.

ASA’s suggested improvement activities for anesthesiology and pain medicine will help clinicians attest for credit in the improvement activities component of MIPS. The new performance category in 2017 rewards clinicians for care coordination, beneficiary engagement and patient safety.

MIPS: Am I Exempt or Required to Report?

CMS recently released a Quality Payment Program eligibility tool that allows eligible clinicians (ECs) to use their National Provider Identifier to check whether they are exempt from MIPS. The website also notes that if ECs are included in MIPS, they may be exempt with the second review of eligibility determinations in late 2017.